Mumps

Information Regarding Mumps

Posted on 12/15/2016

Mumps is a disease caused by a virus. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and a loss of appetite. Then a person with mumps may develop swollen cheeks or jaw.

Most people with mumps get well in a few weeks. Some people who get mumps may have a mild illness or may not even know that they have the disease. However, mumps can occasionally cause serious health problems, especially in adults. These health problems can include swelling of the brain or deafness.

Please note that that if an outbreak of mumps occurs within our school, students who are not immunized against mumps (two MMR shots) would be excluded from school for at least 25 days from the last day the infected person was in school.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT MUMPS?

Get mumps vaccine (included in the MMR vaccine).

Stay away from anyone who has mumps.

Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Don’t share cups, spoons, forks, baby bottles, and other utensils.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE MUMPS

Call your doctor if you or your child has the signs of mumps: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen cheeks or jaw.

Stay home and away from other people. This includes staying away from family as much as possible so they don’t get sick.